Membrane-electrode unit for an electrochemical cell, and process for manufacturing a membrane-electrode unit

1 . A membrane-electrode unit ( 1 ) for an electrochemical cell ( 100 ), wherein the membrane-electrode unit ( 1 ) comprises a frame structure ( 10 ) for accommodating a membrane ( 2 ) coated with electrodes ( 3 , 4 ), wherein the frame structure ( 10 ) comprises a first film ( 11 ) and a second film ( 12 ), wherein the first film ( 11 ) is bonded to the second film ( 12 ) in a bonding region ( 15 ) by an adhesive ( 13 ),

wherein

on at least one of the two films ( 11 , 12 ), a spacing structure ( 20 ) is formed in the bonding region ( 15 );

wherein the spacing structure ( 20 ) is honeycombed, and

wherein the spacing structure ( 20 ) defines adhesive pockets ( 13 a ).

2 . The membrane-electrode unit ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein

a modulus of elasticity of a material of the spacing structure ( 20 ) is at least 10 times as large as a modulus of elasticity of the adhesive ( 13 ).

3 . A process for manufacturing a membrane-electrode unit ( 1 ) according to claim 1 ,

the process comprising:

applying the honeycombed spacing structure ( 20 ) to the first film ( 11 ),

applying the adhesive ( 13 ) to the adhesive pockets ( 13 a ) of the spacing structure ( 20 ),

gluing the first film ( 11 ) to the second film ( 12 ) in the bonding region ( 15 ) with an intermediate layer of the membrane ( 2 ) in portions outside the bonding region ( 15 ).

4 . The process according to claim 3 , wherein the spacing structure ( 20 ) is applied to the first film ( 11 ) by two embossing rolls ( 41 , 42 ).

5 . The process according to claim 4 , wherein the embossing rolls ( 41 , 42 ) are heated.